Cold weather is getting the best of Auburn by tempting the community with anticipation of orange and black decorations and candy as far as the eye can see. The annual tradition of pumpkin carving during Halloween has been a popular way to express holiday spirit for ages. Auburn University is planning a pumpkin carving event on October 31 to celebrate the Halloween festival.
Auburn’s Architecture program alongside the Design and Construction program are sponsoring this event for all students to participate in and contribute to. The event will commence at 9 a.m. this Friday and last all day. The program is also allowing participants to purchase pumpkins and carve them at the site. Each uncarved pumpkin will cost $4 while a minimum $5 donation is required to bid on a pre-carved pumpkin and all proceeds are donated to the American Institute of Architecture Students. An incentive for students to participate in the event is offered in the form of a contest. Carving will last from the opening of the event until 6 p.m. Friday evening and the pumpkins being judged will be judged on appearance, creativity and craftsmanship. The event is going to be held in the courtyard at Dudley Hall and will feature the luminous presence of 400 Jack-O-Lanterns.
Auburn has featured this event for 20 years and plans to keep this tradition alive for years to come. To keep the interest of the public, the programs are making available chili, hot dogs, hamburgers and drinks for sale at lunch. There will also be face painting, cookie decorating and many other community activities.
The bug has hit all students that attend the university. When driving around town, the plethora of decorations in anticipation of Halloween is overwhelming, but at the same time, a joy to see. Party City and Wal-Mart have been hit hard with shoppers interested in buying Halloween paraphernalia that the shelves are almost bare and hard to keep stocked. At the same time, teachers are getting into the spirit and passing out candy to their students in celebration of Halloween which, for us students, is a good pick-me-up when class becomes a little boring.
The positive light that comes from this gathering is that it involves the community and gives the public a sense that Auburn cares for them and is proactive in the community. The university has been a huge asset for this town financially and physically and shows no sign of slowing down. This Halloween season is one that will be forever remembered and sorely missed when over.